Hall looking at WA Derby with Majorly Foxy Styx

Leading trainer Gary Hall sen., who chalked up his one hundredth winner of the season at Gloucester Park on Friday night, is aiming high with outstanding filly Majorly Foxy Styx and is seriously contemplating starting her in the $200,000 WA Derby before tackling the WA Oaks.

Hall is preparing talented three-year-olds Elegant Christian, Machtu, Eyre Crusher, Classic American, High Courage and Pelusiac for the 2536m Derby to be run on April 11 and after Majorly Foxy Styx's effortless victory in the $50,000 Dainty's Daughter Classic on Friday night he said that the filly had the ability to match strides with the colts and geldings in the Derby.

"Majorly Foxy Styx is the best filly I've trained, better than La Joconde and Before Night Falls," Hall declared. "She's a super filly, strong and fast and with no weaknesses, apart from a tendency to pull at times in her races. She looks a big chance in the Oaks and I might have a go at the Derby because she seems to be one of those types capable of mixing it with the colts and geldings. I'll now give her a let-up of a couple of weeks."

The $175,000 WA Oaks will be run on May 9 and, at the moment, there is not a filly in the State who can seriously challenge her. She is undefeated at six starts as a three-year-old and her win on Friday night stretched her winning sequence to seven and boosted her earnings for owner Rob Watson to $91,030.

Majorly Foxy Styx's win was one of four winners on Friday night's program for Hall and his son, star reinsman Gary Hall jun. They were also successful with Rowchester, Whos Mistake and Soho Jackman.

The New Zealand-bred Majorly Foxy Styx (by Art Major) was favourite at 3/1 on and Hall jun. jumped her straight to the front from the No. 1 barrier. The filly settled perfectly and Hall was able to get her to relax and amble through the first 400m section of the final mile in 31.6sec. before he increased the tempo with quarters of 30.3sec., 27.9sec. and 28sec.

Majorly Foxy Styx careered away from her rivals in the closing stages to stroll to a six-length win over 16/1 chance The Parade, who finished determinedly from eighth at the bell. My Samantha Jane (11/1) finished a half-length away in third place after enjoying the one-out, one-back trail. The winner rated 1.57.5 over the 2130m to break the race record of 1.58.1 set by Gota Good Look Adda a year earlier.

Majorly Foxy Styx raced seven times in Victoria as a two-year-old for three second placings before arriving in Western Australia where she has won at seven of her eight starts. She is the second foal out of unraced Christian Cullen mare Foxy Styx. The first foal out of that mare is four-year-old Mach Three gelding Triple Styx, who has had four starts in New Zealand, finishing tenth, ninth, 11th and 13th.

Artistic Copper, a 10/1 chance, was most unlucky. She settled behind the pacemaker Majorly Foxy Styx, but the tyre of her off-side sulky wheel was punctured soon after the start. She raced with the flat tyre for before Nathan Turvey was forced to ease her out of the race in the final circuit when the tyre unravelled and became completed disengaged from the rim of the wheel.

The stewards imposed a fine of $200 on Ryan Bell, driver of Lipizzaner, for having driven in a careless manner in that he allowed Lipizzaner to contact the off-side wheel of Artistic Copper's sulky.

My Samantha Jane finished the event with a flat tyre. The puncture occurred in the back straight in the final lap. Dylan Egerton-Green (Typhoon Tan) was fined $200 for having caused this interference.

PACIFIC WARRIOR RESISTS EARLY CHALLENGES BEFORE EASY CUP VICTORY

New Zealand-bred six-year-old Pacific Warrior took full advantage of the prized No. 1 barrier at Gloucester Park and made a one-act affair of the $25,000 Make Smoking History Governor's Cup on Friday night when Kade Howson drove the gelding to a stylish all-the-way victory.

The 3/1 on favourite, trained at Mt Helena by Ray Williams, was beaten for early speed by Copagrin (barrier two), Western Cullen (three) and Lord Lombo (five) and Howson had to drive vigorously to kick up in the inside and take up the running after 250m. Lord Lombo got almost two lengths in front of Pacific Warrior after 100m, but Lord Lombo was kept three wide by Western Cullen and Copagrin, neither of whom was able to cross the polemarker.

After the early hectic struggle for ascendancy, with the lead time in a brisk 36.5sec., Pacific Warrior relaxed and coasted through the first quarter of the final mile in 31.9sec., with Western Cullen not applying any serious pressure in the breeze, Mighty Flying Thomas enjoying a perfect run behind the pacemaker and Copagrin in the one-out, one-back position.

After a 30.7sec. second section Howson asked Pacific Warrior for a strong effort in the final circuit. The gelding responded grandly with final quarters in 28.5sec. and 27.8sec. He won by one and a half lengths from 15/2 second fancy Mighty Flying Thomas, who was hampered for room throughout the last lap. Uppy Son (25/1) started a three-wide run 1050m from home and fought on splendidly to be a neck away in third place.

Western Cullen faded to last and Copagrin did not threaten danger and finished sixth.

Pacific Warrior had 27 starts in New Zealand for four wins and seven placings before being purchased by OzWest Pacing, the Northam Alliance Pacing Syndicate, Bruce Greenwood, Greg Richens, Joseph Lawrence, Reegan Buswell and Ian Gillespie. His WA record is an impressive 14 wins and eight placings from 28 starts and his overall record is 55 starts for 18 wins, 15 placings and $149,994.

Pacific Warrior's dam Twice As Fine (by New York Motoring) did not race. He is related to Pacific, an American-bred mare, who earned $871,550 when she was a star performer in the United States in the 1980s.

ROWCHESTER OVERCOMES HOOF PROBLEMS TO SCORE IN GOOD STYLE

Champion trainer Gary Hall sen. is fighting a constant battle to keep New Zealand-bred four-year-old Rowchester fit for racing, but the gelding gave a typical tough performance to win the 2130m Smoke Free Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

"He's had a lot of feet problems and is never going to realise his full potential," Hall said after Rowchester, the well-supported 10/9 on favourite, had raced without cover before outstaying the opposition to win by a half-length from Clifford (3/1), with 5m to 16/1 chance Moonlight Rockhole, who trailed the pacemaker Livelong And Prosper (13/4).

Rowchester is suffering from laminitis, a disease which affects a horse's hooves and leads to tenderness and inflammation.

"He requires constant treatment and I use plastic pads under the shoes," Hall said. "And I hopple him as little as possible."

Rowchester, a winner at three of his five starts in New Zealand, has performed soundly in WA where his 19 starts have produced five wins and seven placings.

After an early unsuccessful bid for the lead, from 55/1 outsider Sir Excellent Art from barrier five, the polemarker Livelong And Prosper set the pace, with Rowchester settling down in the breeze for Gary Hall jun. A modest lead time of 38sec. was followed by a leisurely first quarter of the final mile in 31.9sec. Then came sections in 29.5sec. and 28.2sec. before Livelong And Prosper began to wilt and Rowchester got his head in front 370m from home and drew away from his rivals in a 29.6sec. final quarter. He rated 1.58.8.

Clifford maintained his excellent form and he did well to finish strongly from fifth at the bell. He will pay to follow. Livelong And Prosper faded to finish seventh in the field of eight.

Shannon Suvaljko, who drove Sir Excellent Art, was suspended for 22 days for causing interference to Tuxedo racing out of the back straight soon after the start. The stewards found that Suvaljko had allowed Sir Excellent Art to shift inwards and check Tuxedo.

BROWN RESUMES AND CELEBRATES WITH A MEIN GUY VICTORY

Ace reinsman Colin Brown resumed from a brief term of suspension with a bang at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he drove with confidence and aggression to guide Mein Guy to a smart win in the 2536m Put Smoking Behind You Pace.

Mein Guy, a well-supported 2/1 favourite trained at Banjup by Brown, started from barrier four and Brown set him on fire, charging forward three wide to burst to the front after 650m and then dictate the terms, with Dashing Christian in the breeze.

After opening quarters of the final mile in 31.4sec. and 29.9sec. Mein Guy sprinted over the third section in 28.3sec. But this did not put paid to Dashing Christian, who fought on doggedly to finish 1m from the winner after a final quarter in 29.1sec. Mein Guy rated 1.58.6. Veteran Talk It Up ran on from fifth on the pegs at the bell to be a half-head behind Dashing Christian in third place.

Mein Guy, a New Zealand-bred five-year-old by Badlands Hanover, raced twice in New Zealand as a two-year-old for a second and an eighth before winning six times from 18 starts in New South Wales.

His 38 starts in Western Australia for Kalgoorlie owners Peter and Kirsten Gianni, John Sangalli and Len Burns have produced 12 wins and the gelding now boasts a record of 58 starts for 18 wins, 22 placings and $118,653.

LORD COBURN GIVES EGERTON-GREEN ANOTHER WINNER

Young reinsman Dylan Egerton-Green maintained his wonderful form when he drove former Victorian pacer Lord Coburn to an easy win in the 2503m Quitline Handicap at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

This gave the 21-year-old his 36th win this season. He also has driven 65 placegetters and is in eighth place in the Statewide reinsmen's premiership table.

Lord Coburn's win completed a double for Oakford trainer Ross Olivieri, who was successful earlier in the night with Deluxe Edition.

A brilliant beginning off the front line in the stand paved the way for Lord Coburn's victory. The 6/4 favourite flew away and landed a couple of lengths in front of his nearest rival, North Toa Luckstar. Danieljohn, backmarker off 30m, moved to the breeze in the middle stages, but he was left floundering when Egerton-Green released the brakes and Lord Coburn dashed over the final 400m in 27.8sec.

Lord Coburn beat Danieljohn by just over four lengths, with a half-length to North Toa Luckstar in third place. Lord Coburn rated 2.1.3 and moved to a M3 classification.

Lord Coburn raced 38 times in Victoria for ten wins and ten placings and his first 14 starts in Western Australia have produced three wins and four placings.

Askmenow, second favourite at 9/4, let down her supporters when she galloped at the start and settled down 50m behind the frontrunning Lord Coburn. Askmenow made up a lot of ground and finished a creditable fifth when she was hampered for room in the home straight.

Lord Coburn is bred to be a good winner. His dam, the New Zealand-bred Posh Jaccka (by American stallion OK Bye) amassed $331,155 after racing 132 times for 29 wins and 43 placings. She won 19 times in Victoria and was a close second to Tailamade Lombo in the Australian Oaks at Moonee Valley in August 1998.

MENELAUS OF SPARTA PROVING TO BE A SPLENDID INVESTMENT

West Australian-bred six-year-old Menelaus of Sparta, claimed for $10,000 five months ago, is proving a splendid investment for Jenny Smith and three friends.

The Northern Luck gelding took full advantage of the No. 1 barrier at Gloucester Park on Friday night when Kenwick trainer Brett Smith drove him to an all-the-way victory to boost his earnings for his new owners to $49,625 from six wins and three placings from 23 starts. He now has a career record of 84 starts for 18 wins, 20 placings and $127,421.

Menelaus of Sparta was a 9/2 chance, with former Victorian pacer Our Arlington a solidly-supported 7/4 favourite at his first start in Western Australia. Balleybofey, winner of the Northam Cup at his previous outing, was second fancy at 2/1.

Chocolatto was smartest into stride from barrier four, but was unable to cross to the front, with Smith urging Menelaus of Sparta to retain the lead. Morgan Woodley quickly was able to manoeuvre Chocolatto to take the trail behind the pacemaker, leaving Balleybofey in the breeze.

Our Arlington settled at the rear from the outside barrier before Gary Hall jun. started a three-wide move 1200m from home. Our Arlington sustained his effort and clawed his way to a narrow lead 100m from the post. But Menelaus of Sparta fought back tigerish to gain the verdict by a nose after a final 800m in 57.8sec. Balleybofey battled on into third place.

Hall jun. said that he was confident of winning approaching the home turn, when he had not pulled the ear plugs. "But he's got a few little problems, like hanging," he said. Trainer Gary Hall sen. added: "Our Arlington wants to get down on the corners and we've got a few things to straighten out."

WHOS MISTAKE BRINGS UP HALL'S TRAINING CENTURY

Veteran Victorian-bred pacer Whos Mistake gave a bold frontrunning display to score an easy win in the 2130m Breathe Easier Claiming Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night to give leading trainer Gary Hall sen. a century of winners in the 2013-14 season.

The master horseman is now aiming for another hundred winners in the final six and a half months of the season.

Victorian trainer-reinsman Doug Webster made no mistake when he spent a modest sum to claim Whos Mistake when the son of D M Dilinger had a losing sequence of 19 going into a $5000 claimer at Melton in June 2012. Driven by his breeder, part-owner and trainer Willy Pace, Whos Mistake finished solidly to win the race from the pacemaker Break Twenty One.

Webster then sent Whos Mistake to Perth to be prepared by Hall sen. But Whos Mistake managed just one placing (a third to Heisbackinblack) from his first seven starts in WA. Hall then gave the gelding a beneficial spell and this has paid handsome dividends.

Now the eight-year-old Whose Mistake has raced 36 times in WA for seven wins and 12 placings for earnings of $104,785. He had 86 starts in Victoria for ten wins, 13 placings and $38,725. He is the only winner out of Robil Spur, a mare by American sire Nuke of Earl. Robil Spur managed four country wins from 87 starts.

After Soho Jackman won the final event on Friday night Hall's season's figures stood at 405 starters for 101 winners, 64 seconds and 47 thirds for $1,501,796 in prizemoney.

EDWARDS STEALS A MARCH AND MYOURI ENDS LOSING SEQUENCE OF 28

New Zealand-bred eight-year-old Myouri broke an 11-month drought and ended a losing sequence of 28 when Luke Edwards drove the Debbie Padberg-trained gelding to a decisive victory in the 1730m Quit Pathway Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Edwards stole a march on his rivals when he was able to get Myouri away to a flying start from the No. 2 barrier and burst past the polemarker Sir Kale.

Classy Cougar and Barkers Hall surged forward, out wide, in the early stages, but Edwards kept his challengers at bay with a fast opening quarter of the final mile in 28.7sec. before he got the gelding to relax with a second 400m section in 31.3sec.

Myouri (well supported to start at 7/2) then produced two rapid final quarters of 28.8sec. to score at a 1.57.1 rate by just under a length from Sir Kale, with a neck to Im Clean Cut, who ran home well after racing three back on the pegs. Conniving Major Dave, the 9/4 favourite from the outside of the back line, finished gamely from the rear in the middle stages to be fourth.

Myouri, whose previous success was when he led and held on to beat stablemate What God Knows by a nose early last March, has been an honest performer, with his 93 starts producing nine wins, 28 placings and $85,207. He won twice from 23 New Zealand starts, was unplaced at two stars in New South Wales and won at three of his 12 starts in Victoria. He has had 55 starts in WA for four wins and 18 placings.

His maternal granddam Aberfeldy produced Reba Lord, who earned $342,070 from 17 wins and 14 placings from 59 starts. Reba Lord finished third to Sovereign Cloud and Thorate in the 1990 Victoria Cup and won an interdominion championship consolation at Globe Derby Park in February 1990.

PACEMAKING SOHO JACKMAN FOLLOWS THE TREND

Smart four-year-old Soho Jackman simply was following suit at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he set the pace and won the final event, the 2130m Thank You For Not Smoking Westbred Pathway Pace.

This was the pattern of racing in the ten-event program when nine races were won by the horse setting the pace. He started from the prized No. 1 barrier on a night when the No. 1 horse in the nine mobile events recorded five wins, two seconds and one third. The only No. 1 horse to fail to fail after leading was Livelong And Prosper, who faded to finish seventh in the 2130m Smoke Free Pace.

Soho Jackman, favourite at 5/1 on for trainer Gary Hall sen. and reinsman Gary Hall jun., was not challenged (apart from a short-lived early burst from Atomic Chip) at any stage of the race. He crawled through the lead time in 39.9sec. and the opening quarters of the final mile in 32.6sec. and 31.1sec. before sprinting over the final sections in 29.2sec. and 28.2sec. His rate was a pedestrian 2.1.6.

Soho Jackman strolled to victory over Eminence Grise and Atomic Chip to improve his record to 14 starts for six wins, four placings and $36,458.

He was sold for $15,000 at the 2011 Gloucester Standardbred Yearling sale and is owned by Glen Moore. His dam Jane Elouise (by American sire Beach Towel) won the group 3 Sales Classic for three-year-old fillies in February 2006 and was retired after earning $44,926 from four wins and three placings from 14 starts.

DELUXE EDITION EARNS A SHOT AT THE EMPRESS STAKES

Promising young mare Deluxe Edition earned a shot at the $50,000 Empress Stakes on Friday week when she outclassed her rivals in the 2130m Mick's Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The WA-bred four-year-old started a hot favourite at 5/1 on and gave her supporters no cause for concern after Chris Voak dashed her to the front from the No. 3 barrier after 220m. She sprinted over the final 800m in 57.1sec. and strolled to victory by three lengths over polemarker Mene Jackka, who trailed her throughout.

Deluxe Edition, prepared by Ross Olivieri, rated 1.57.7 and boosted her earnings for her breeders and owners Denise Trobe and Adrian Staltari to $99,877 from nine wins and 15 placings from 34 starts.